Analamerana Special Reserve
 |
Analamerana
(or Analamera) is a hardly known and partly unexplored Special Reserve
located 20
km southeast from the Amber
Mountain
National Park.
Created in
1956, the Reserve stretches from the east coast until the Analamerana
karstic
plateau and comprises a surface of 347 km². The
reserve is mainly covered by dense deciduous dry forest mixed with
rocky
formations up to 700 m in the western part. It is a very important
water source
for the agriculture in the surrounding areas since several rivers, as
the Irondo
in the north and the Loky in the south cross the plateau and flow into
the rice
paddies in the valleys. |
This place
is the last habitat of one of the most endangered primate species, the
totally
black-coloured Perrier’s sifaka. Other endangered mammals
living in the reserve
are the crowned and Sanford’s
lemurs or the Northern ring-tailed mongoose. We can spot as well some
very rare
birds such as the Van Dam´s Vanga or the Madagascar
pond heron and many
reptiles and amphibians.
 |
| Boas are wide spread but totally
inoffensive to humans © Gail Johnson
|
Due to its
privileged position between the East coast, the central plateau and the
north-western
area a huge diversity of plants belonging to the three regions grow
inside the
Reserve. Three species of baobabs (Adansonia madagascariens,
Adansonia
perrieri, and Adansonia suarezensis),
several palm trees and wild
coffee plants grow in Analamerana. The abundance of precious wood
entails an
increasing illegal market which means the destruction of the last
remaining
protected areas just to the benefit of a few people.
The
easiest
way to reach Analamerana Reserve is by car from Diego Suarez (a jeep is
the
best option). There are several points to enter the reserve. The
shortest one
is called Anivorano on the northern part of the reserve (around two
hours
drive). From the other points ( Ankarongana and Irodo) you have to walk
a
couple of km to reach the entrance.
There
is a
taxi-brousse connection from Ambodivona Station in Diego as well, but
the poor
road condition can make the transfer much longer.
There are a couple of basic
accommodations next to the reserve and some other
are currently being built. Bivouac is the only way to stay overnight
inside the
reserve. There are still no camping facilities at all, so you must
bring all
the necessary equipment and supplies with you. You can arrange a visit
from
Antsiranana.
|
The
temperature is warm all year around. During the rainy season from
November to
March rainfalls can be torrential, so if you are visiting the reserve
in this
period bring suitable clothes. The best time to come is May to
September, it is
a little bit hotter (around 28°) but for sure it will not rain.
The faunaThere
are
currently no circuits available. Nevertheless a trip in this area is
very
rewarding. Apart from the Reserve itself, you can enjoy a traditional
festivity
which takes place in July called " Kabiry" , where thousands of
people gather to play traditional music and dance, or visit the
spectacular red
Tsingy not far from here.
The avifauna of Analamerana counts numerous species seven of which are
endemic.
Among these birds, we find the eight rarest birds in the world as Van
Dam’s
Vanga Xenopirostris damii.
On the other hand, the climate and the relatively stripped of a big
part of the
reserve don’t encourage the abundance of reptiles and
amphibians. However,
Analamerana remains a conquered earth for Furcifer petteri, Boa
manditra, and
Boa madagascariensis.
The best fauna of Analamerana
1. Propithecus perrieri or Akomba jôby is
an endemic lemur of
Analamerana. We can see it all year round in Ankavanana, Antombiratsy
and
Analabe or in Andrafiamena. It is a critically
endangered species
among the 25 species most endangered primates in the world.
2. Eulemur sanfordi or Ankomba biharovôko
is also a lemur that can be
seen from January to December in Ankavanana, Antombiratsy and Analabe
or in
Andrafiamena.
3. Galidia elegans dambrensis or Vontsira is a
mammal that we can see at
Ankavanana, Antombiratsy and Analabe or in Andrafiamena in rainy
weather.
4. Van dam’s vanga Xenopirostris damii.
This Endemic species of
Madagascar has a very small range and considered as the rarest and most
threatened vanga.
5. Malagasy pond heron Ardeola idae. This bird of
the family of the Ardeidae
is endemic to Madagascar . Outside of breeding season, this species
migrate in
Africa. Species classified endangered species (EN).
The flora
The Analamerana Special Reserve contains typical species of the
ecoregion of
the west, the East and the Center at a time. Thus, three species of
baobabs out
seven known in Madagascar are found in the Reserve: Adansonia
perrieri, Adansonia
madagascariens and Adansonia suareziensis.
Six species of palms have
also been inventoried there.
The best flora of Analamerana
1. Adansonia perrieri or Bozy is an endemic species
of Madagascar. We
can find it in Antaignaombihely, Analabe and Ankarana.
2. Coffea saharenanensis or Kafeala generally grows
at Analabe,
Ankavanana and Antombiratsy.
3. Eugenia analameranensis or Rôtro is
also seen in Analabe, Ankavanana
and Antombiratsy |
Crowned
lemur © MauritsV |
As
there is
still no touristic infrastructure in the reserve itself, a good idea is
to get
informed in the office in Diego.
Route de l’Aéroport BP 475 – 201
Antsiranana
Tél./fax : (261 20) 82 213 20 /
(261 32)
04 751 27
Email : angapdie@yahoo.fr
